- \n
- I want standardized measurement selections (50 grams, 100 grams, 1 ounce, 2 ounces), etc.<\/li>\n
- I want to compare food items (example: skim vs regular milk)<\/li>\n
- I want a breakdown of where the calories are coming from (fat, carbs, protein?)<\/li>\n
- I want a breakdown of the types of carbohydrates (sugars)<\/li>\n
- I want the glycemic index and glycemic load calculation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
I found a few ways that worked for me.<\/strong><\/p>\n
1. \u00a0Google<\/a><\/h2>\n
![\"pear](\"http:\/\/thisfoodthing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/pear-189x300.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nI’ve found one of the easiest ways to get nutritional info directly from Google is using one or the other terms: \u00a0“Nutrition” or “Carbs” \u00a0For example, searching for pear nutrition or pear carbs will bring up the relevant nutritional values associated with a pear. \u00a0Any pear, not specific pears. \u00a0It does have weird (and seemingly arbitrary) serving size amounts. \u00a0For the most part, it does allow for at least 100 grams on most items. \u00a0If you run the values of a lot of items, always use the same amounts, if possible, to give yourself an understanding of the real value. \u00a0I mean, you might want to know the values on oatmeal, but you don’t need to know what 1 cup of dry, uncooked oatmeal is..you want to know what a serving 1\/4 cups or 125 grams is. \u00a0Try to select the amount closest to what you know you are going to eat, and what you have seen.<\/p>\n
Google’s data does not have some of my requirements – no breakdowns, no glycemic index or load – very sad, since this is the fastest way to search. \u00a0But just knowing carbs\/fiber on an ingredient is helpful.<\/p>\n
2. USDA<\/a><\/h2>\n
United States Department of Agriculture,\u00a0Agricultural Research
![\"usda_nutrition_information\"](\"http:\/\/thisfoodthing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/usda_nutrition_information-216x300.jpg\")
<\/a>\u00a0Service has an online\u00a0database, “National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference<\/a>“, which is an excellent resource for most foods. \u00a0The database allows you to input your own weights and measures for items, which is really great. \u00a0It also seems to have a lot of items, including many fresh and raw items, plus some prepared items. \u00a0I like the breakdowns, though the sugars are not broken down as well as I would like. \u00a0In addition, you can download an excel file with all the information included. \u00a0There is also an ability to use the API and create your own app, if you are so inclined. \u00a0Anyone??!<\/p>\nAgain, my own requirements aren’t met here, though the database does allow for input of my own measurements — 1\/2 cup or 3 ounces, or 100 grams. \u00a0No glycemic load or index.<\/p>\n
3.\u00a0Self Nutrition Data<\/a>
![\"self\"](\"http:\/\/thisfoodthing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/self-300x282.jpg\")
<\/a><\/h2>\nThe last link is probably my favorite. \u00a0Not only does it show you the nutritional values,
![\"carbs](\"http:\/\/thisfoodthing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/carbs-300x246.jpg\")
<\/a>have ease of selecting weight\/measurement, have tools to compare various items (!!) \u00a0etc., but it shows you the glycemic load <\/a>for the selected food and serving size. \u00a0This site also has useless (to me) graphs & graphics. \u00a0But because I want the carb\/sugars broken down, and I want to see the glycemic load, this site is incredibly useful and the one I use the most.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
These days, I need to know what the nutritional values of foods are. \u00a0I’ve found a ton of places online that show you the values – some with uber fancy graphical images, some with just the calories and fat amounts, … Continue reading